Good catch, yes I would like to see more of these used on this platform.
This unit is designed to work with an existing timing curve, whether it's generated by a mechanical distributor, or a fully mapped curve generated by an ECU. As is the MSD-6.
Engines with a fully mapped curve can also benefit, as shown in this series of dyno runs taken from a 2.0L Eclipse engine used in a Formula III car. It's naturally aspirated, but the compression ratio is 14.0:1.
The timing curve was mapped on the dyno with a MoTeC using headphones with a knock amplifier. Timing was set to provide a two degree safety margin from knock as indicated by the headphones. The SafeGuard was then installed, and the timing was progressively bumped in two degree increments. No other changes were made, except for the last run, where spec fuel was used.
The engine was run for the '04 season with the SafeGuard with no damage from detonation.
The data is from Ian Whiteside, a calibration engineer at Mercedes/Ilmor in the UK. To be clear, it's from his personal F3 car, and the runs were not done at his place of work.
